I heard a great share the other night:
Humility gives me the strength to stand up and the willingness to kneel down.
Humility may be the most complex word that Bill uses in the Big Book. It is rich in meaning and texture. Moreover, when humility is practiced as he suggests, it is as powerful and multi-dimensional as this share suggests. It changes the paradigms of life and allows an inner strength that is transformational to flow in our lives.
Humility is usually used to reflect a static, passive attitude. It is not usually used as an active word. The grammarians would say that it is an intransitive word, a word that does not reflect action. However, Bill uses it in an active, transitive sense. It is not standing meekly in the corner, head down, feeling quiet and self-effacing, humbled by life and circumstances. It is instead marching forward, head high and aware of life, following God’s will and direction. It is doing actions to build character, following God and His indicated next right thing to do. It is not standing, it is moving through life, doing good all the way.
I desire to move in alignment with God’s will, and I find that through prayer. The most powerful prayers are on my knees. So, humility is seeking God’s will on my knees.
Humility is practiced on my knees and marching forward.
Another definition of humility used by Bill is interesting. The meaning of humility includes, according to Bill, true and accurate knowledge of myself and my circumstances. It is not right for me to say, “I am a poor nothing, a nobody, a man who counts for nothing.” That is not accurate or true. Therefore, it is not humble. Rather “I am a retired lawyer, prominent in some areas of the community, a father and a long time AA member – I have duties and serious responsibilities.” The latter is not a chance to puff myself up; it is an acknowledgement of the truth and an acceptance of responsibilities. (Which, by the way, is best fulfilled following God’s will.)
In this regard, humility requires honesty. That principal virtue of the Program, without which many fail. It starts with the honesty to admit that I have a problem with alcohol. A first and early admission about myself that squares with reality. An admission that continues through my Program life to include the million truths and lies that I can know and come to know through assiduous inventory habits.
So, humility gives me the strength to stand up and the willingness to kneel down.
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